If it ain't broke, why fix it? Top PAS leaders set to keep posts at congress

Analysts say that maintaining status quo positions Islamist party on path of stability

- Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR - Over the past decade, the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) has largely escaped the turbulence that beset other Malaysian parties as their succession plans unfolded or unravelled.

PAS' top two leaders have held their positions unopposed since 2015, and the status quo looks set to remain as party delegates convene for their annual congress in Alor Setar, Kedah, from Sept 11 to 16.

Instead, all eyes will be on the messaging throughout the six-day congress, or muktamar as the Islamist party calls it.

Ahead of Malaysia's 16th general election due by early 2028 but possibly as soon as 2026, PAS is expected to outline how it intends to court non-Muslim voters, and how its allies within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition - as well as a recently formed loose pact with other opposition parties - can aid it to do so.

Despite concerns about 77-year-old president Abdul Hadi Awang's ailing health, he is likely to lead PAS' charge for a sixth general election.

Former minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man will extend an already decade-long stint as Tan Sri Hadi's deputy, and the same three vice-presidents will remain in place for a third term since 2021.

There was a brief moment when a contest looked possible as vice-president Nik Amar Abdullah was nominated by one of the party's divisions to contest the No. 2 post in June 2025.

Kedah Chief Minister Sanusi Md Nor threw his hat into the ring for the vice-president post but withdrew later.

Other positions - such as the entire leadership of the powerful ulama wing of religious scholars and the top three positions in the youth and women's wings - will not be contested following similar withdrawals announced by secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan on Aug 30.